Hadith #11495

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he mentions three qualities that distinguish a group of people as being from the

people of the Elevations

or

people of the A'raf

Let us delve into the meanings of these important words and explore their significance in the light of the Quran.

The first quality mentioned is "al-muqinun" which translates to

those who possess certitude

This refers to individuals who have firm belief and conviction in the truth of Islam. They have reached a level of certainty in their faith that is unshakable. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) praises such individuals in the Quran in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 15, where He says,

Indeed, the believers are only those who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful.

The second quality mentioned is "al-mukhlisun" which translates to

the dedicated [and sincere] ones

These are individuals who worship Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) with utmost sincerity and purity of intention. They perform acts of worship solely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure alone. In Surah Az-Zumar, verse 2, Allah says,

Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book, [O Muhammad], in truth. So worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion.

The third quality mentioned is "al-mu'thirun" which translates to "the altruistic ones". These are individuals who prioritize the needs of others over their own. They selflessly give and sacrifice for the betterment of society, without expecting anything in return. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) encourages such behavior in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 177, where He says,

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) mentions that these three qualities make individuals from the

people of the Elevations

or

people of the A'raf

The term "A'raf" refers to a place or state of elevation between Paradise and Hell, where people who possess a mixture of good and bad deeds reside. These individuals are in a state of reflection and contemplation, striving to improve themselves and seeking forgiveness from Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights these qualities to emphasize the importance of certitude, sincerity, and altruism in the journey towards spiritual elevation. By possessing certitude, we strengthen our faith and become steadfast in our beliefs. By being dedicated and sincere, we purify our intentions and ensure that our worship is solely for the sake of Allah. And by being altruistic, we contribute to the well-being of society and fulfill our responsibilities towards others.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of developing these qualities in our lives as Muslims. Certitude, sincerity, and altruism are not only virtues that bring us closer to Allah, but they also have far-reaching consequences in our personal and social lives. They motivate us to seek knowledge, strive for excellence, and make a positive impact on the world around us.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to possess certitude, sincerity, and altruism, and may He elevate us to the ranks of the righteous. Ameen.